assorted inspiration for the craziest week.

You can fail at what you don’t want, so you might as well take a chance at doing what you love. 

-Jim Carey

It was you who opened up springs and streams;

you dried up the ever-flowing rivers.

The day is yours, and yours also the night;

you established the sun and moon.

It was you who set all the boundaries of the earth;

you made both summer and winter.

-Psalm 74

Great people do things before they're ready. They do things before they know they can do it... Doing what you're afraid of, getting out of your comfort zone, taking risks like that- that is what life is. You might be really good. You might find out something about yourself that's really special and if you're not good, who cares? You tried something. Now you know something about yourself.

-Amy Poehler, my soul sister.

In between goals, there is a thing called life, that has to be lived in and enjoyed.

-sid ceaser

there's a lot to be overwhelmed by so I'm going to write a list now of all the awesome stuff going on here. 

*found the cheapest yummiest whole bean coffee. 

*drinking it now. (who cares if it takes me 4 hours to finish one cup? I WILL FINISH IT.)

*made my own saltwater spray for my hair. never washing my hair again. turning into a mermaid slowly. 

*have not yet misplaced anything major in the move. (don't ask me whether i've misplaced anything minor)

*it is still summer, and i love summer. give me all the warm weather. 

*we are all healthy and safe. this is not a given, this is a gift. 

*there is grace for me when I fail at all the stuff I need to do, because I'm not going to get it all done. 

manifesto

Summer 2014 manifesto: a declaring of intentions. 

I will walk outside, feel the sun on my face, and remember that this is my favorite time of year. 

I will sit outside on our dirty picnic blanket and point at dogs with Eliza,

go on long walks to see things and point at more things. 

If at all possible, we will not drive someplace if we can walk there. 

I will be laid back about lots of things, but not about sunscreen and hats.

I will pare down our stuff, remembering that life isn't about stuff. 

I will be organized about this move, because ohmygoodness unpacking when you haven't been organized is the worst.

I will enjoy our new deck and our new backyard and my people even when the inside of the new house is a mess. 

I will give a million kisses to that little chicken I have.

I will hold Greg's hand and argue with him about sunscreen.

I will show Eliza the ocean and the sand and the boardwalk and I will let her eat cake and icecream. 

I will use technology as a good servant and avoid it when it is becoming my master.

I will remember it is my job to pursue my calling, and only my calling, and not anyone else's. 

I will make corn on the cob. 

I will live with less stuff in my closet (and more organized in storage?). 

I will wear lipstick whenever I feel like it. It reminds me of my mom and I like it with a tan. 

I will try to remember to whom I belong, who I'm trying to please, and who's in charge.